1. Bioplastic PreetiBala Adatiya Lecturer School of Biotechnology DAVV

2. Why Bioplastic? These days plastics are predominantly made from crude oil These days plastics are predominantly made from crude oilcrude oilcrude oil In this context, renewable resources are becoming a more viable and promising alternative for the plastics industry In this context, renewable resources are becoming a more viable and promising alternative for the plastics industryrenewable resourcesrenewable resources When plastics made from petroleum are burned, they release the carbon dioxide contained in the petroleum into the atmosphere, leading to global warming. When plastics made from petroleum are burned, they release the carbon dioxide contained in the petroleum into the atmosphere, leading to global warming. The use of bioplastics offers significant advantages not only in an ecological sense but also in an economical sense. The use of bioplastics offers significant advantages not only in an ecological sense but also in an economical sense.

3. Bioplastics are a form of plastics derived from plant sources such as sweet potatoes, sugarcane, hemp oil, soy bean oil and corn starch. Bioplastics are a form of plastics derived from plant sources such as sweet potatoes, sugarcane, hemp oil, soy bean oil and corn starch.plasticshempsoy beancorn starchplasticshempsoy beancorn starch Bioplastics are environmentally friendly because, compared with traditional plastics, their production results in the emission of less carbon dioxide, which is thought to cause global warming. Bioplastics are environmentally friendly because, compared with traditional plastics, their production results in the emission of less carbon dioxide, which is thought to cause global warming. They are also biodegradable, meaning that the material returns to its natural state when buried in the ground. They are also biodegradable, meaning that the material returns to its natural state when buried in the ground.

4. Enzymes are used to break starch in the plants down into glucose, which is fermented and made into lactic acid. Enzymes are used to break starch in the plants down into glucose, which is fermented and made into lactic acid. This lactic acid is polymerized and converted into a plastic called polylactic acid, which can be used in the manufacture of products after being heated and shaped. This lactic acid is polymerized and converted into a plastic called polylactic acid, which can be used in the manufacture of products after being heated and shaped.

5. In addition, bioplastics are biodegradable. In addition, bioplastics are biodegradable. If something made of bioplastic is buried in the ground, microorganisms will break it down into carbon dioxide and water. If something made of bioplastic is buried in the ground, microorganisms will break it down into carbon dioxide and water. Bags made of bioplastic can be thrown away and buried with other biodegradable garbage, and there are a growing number of other uses for the materials as well, including artificial fibers, medical products, and construction materials. Bags made of bioplastic can be thrown away and buried with other biodegradable garbage, and there are a growing number of other uses for the materials as well, including artificial fibers, medical products, and construction materials.

6. Use of Bioplastic Bioplastics are already being used in automobile interiors and in cases for consumer electronics. Bioplastics are already being used in automobile interiors and in cases for consumer electronics. Toyota Motor Corp. became the first automaker in the world to use bioplastics in the manufacture of auto parts, employing them in the cover for the spare tire Toyota Motor Corp. became the first automaker in the world to use bioplastics in the manufacture of auto parts, employing them in the cover for the spare tire

7. Toyota Motor is building a plant to undertake test production of bioplastic at a factory in Japan, with production due to begin in August 2004. Toyota Motor is building a plant to undertake test production of bioplastic at a factory in Japan, with production due to begin in August 2004. The company plans to produce 1,000 tons of bioplastic annually, which will be used not just in car parts but in many other plastic products as well. The company plans to produce 1,000 tons of bioplastic annually, which will be used not just in car parts but in many other plastic products as well. Toyota also plans to use bioplastics in the construction of the exhibition pavilions at the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, so that no construction waste is generated when the pavilions are dismantled at the end of the event. Toyota also plans to use bioplastics in the construction of the exhibition pavilions at the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, so that no construction waste is generated when the pavilions are dismantled at the end of the event.

8. Used in Electronic Devices Mitsubishi Plastics has already succeeded in raising the heat-resistance and strength of polylactic acid by combining it with other biodegradable plastics and filler, and the result was used to make the plastic casing of a new version of Sony Corp.'s Walkman released last fall. Mitsubishi Plastics has already succeeded in raising the heat-resistance and strength of polylactic acid by combining it with other biodegradable plastics and filler, and the result was used to make the plastic casing of a new version of Sony Corp.'s Walkman released last fall. Mitsubishi Plastics had previously looked at bioplastic as something that would mainly be used in the manufacture of casings and wrappings, but the company now feels confident that this revolutionary material has entered a new phase in its development in which more complex applications will be found. Mitsubishi Plastics had previously looked at bioplastic as something that would mainly be used in the manufacture of casings and wrappings, but the company now feels confident that this revolutionary material has entered a new phase in its development in which more complex applications will be found.

9. NEC Corp., meanwhile, is turning its attention to kenaf, a type of fibrous plant native to tropical areas of Africa and Asia that is known to grow more than five meters in just half a year. NEC Corp., meanwhile, is turning its attention to kenaf, a type of fibrous plant native to tropical areas of Africa and Asia that is known to grow more than five meters in just half a year. A mixture of polylactic acid and kenaf fiber that is 20% fiber by weight allows for a plastic that is strong enough and heat resistant enough to be used in electronic goods. A mixture of polylactic acid and kenaf fiber that is 20% fiber by weight allows for a plastic that is strong enough and heat resistant enough to be used in electronic goods. The goal is to begin using this new plastic in real products, such as computer cases, within two years. The goal is to begin using this new plastic in real products, such as computer cases, within two years.

10. Applications Packaging Packaging Packaging The use of bioplastics for shopping bags is already very common. The use of bioplastics for shopping bags is already very common. After their initial use they can be reused as bags for organic waste and then be composted. After their initial use they can be reused as bags for organic waste and then be composted. Trays and containers for fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat, bottles for soft drinks and dairy products and blister foils for fruit and vegetables are also already widely manufactured from bioplastics. Trays and containers for fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat, bottles for soft drinks and dairy products and blister foils for fruit and vegetables are also already widely manufactured from bioplastics.

11. Catering products Catering products Catering products Catering products Catering products belong to the group of perishable plastics. Catering products belong to the group of perishable plastics. Disposable crockery and cutlery, as well as pots and bowls, pack foils for hamburgers and straws are being dumped after a single use, together with food- leftovers, forming huge amounts of waste, particularly at big events. Disposable crockery and cutlery, as well as pots and bowls, pack foils for hamburgers and straws are being dumped after a single use, together with food- leftovers, forming huge amounts of waste, particularly at big events.

12. Gardening Gardening Gardening Within the agricultural economy and the gardening sector mulch foils made of biodegradable material and flower pots made of decomposable bioplastics are predominantly used due to their adjustable lifespan and the fact that these materials do not leave residues in the soil. Within the agricultural economy and the gardening sector mulch foils made of biodegradable material and flower pots made of decomposable bioplastics are predominantly used due to their adjustable lifespan and the fact that these materials do not leave residues in the soil. This helps reduce work and time (and thus cost) as these products can simply be left to decompose, after which they are ploughed in to the soil. This helps reduce work and time (and thus cost) as these products can simply be left to decompose, after which they are ploughed in to the soil. Plant pots used for flowering and vegetable plants can be composted along with gardening and kitchen litter. Plant pots used for flowering and vegetable plants can be composted along with gardening and kitchen litter.

13. Medical Products Medical Products Medical Products Medical Products In comparison to packaging, catering or gardening sectors, the medical sector sets out completely different requirements with regards to products made of renewable and reabsorbing plastics. In comparison to packaging, catering or gardening sectors, the medical sector sets out completely different requirements with regards to products made of renewable and reabsorbing plastics. The highest possible qualitative standards have to be met and guaranteed, resulting in an extremely high costs, which sometimes exceed 1.000 Euro per kilo. The highest possible qualitative standards have to be met and guaranteed, resulting in an extremely high costs, which sometimes exceed 1.000 Euro per kilo. The potential applications of biodegradable or reabsorbing bioplastics are manifold. The potential applications of biodegradable or reabsorbing bioplastics are manifold.

14. Sanitary Products Sanitary Products Sanitary Products Sanitary Products Due to their specific characteristics, bioplastics are used as a basis for the production of sanitary products. Due to their specific characteristics, bioplastics are used as a basis for the production of sanitary products. These materials are breathable and allow water vapor to permeate, but at the same time they are waterproof. These materials are breathable and allow water vapor to permeate, but at the same time they are waterproof. Foils made of soft bioplastic are already used as diaper foil, bed underlay, for incontinence products, ladies sanitary products and as disposable gloves. Foils made of soft bioplastic are already used as diaper foil, bed underlay, for incontinence products, ladies sanitary products and as disposable gloves.

15. Product of Bioplastic